Homes are going for about $290,900 on average. Median household income is $55,034, which feels about average for the area. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. What would you do? It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
11 upvotes
27 Replies
Alexander
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
39 upvotes
Daniel Phillips
Can confirm, been here 2 years.
35 upvotes
Ian C.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Atlanta about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited public transit options
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is improving.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
34 upvotes
Kayden Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in government. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Kayla M.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely hit or miss and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
33 upvotes
gabriel_life
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The community vibe is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
native_jeremiah7
+1
30 upvotes
Gianna Harris
literally same
28 upvotes
Katherine Thomas
I work in marketing here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is pretty good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
28 upvotes
Everly Evans
Moved here from Phoenix about 1 years ago. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Still getting used to safety but No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Alice Jackson
Weather-wise, the summers are underrated and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
26 upvotes
Gary W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Peyton Ward
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Kayden Nelson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if cultural scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Kayden Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 55, moved here 3 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Westside and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The weather situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
21 upvotes
Wyatt Young
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 43, moved here 9 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Fairview and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Nashville, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
20 upvotes
Landon
haha yep pretty much
17 upvotes
Olivia E.
We moved here with our family and I love the pace of life here. Schools in Oak Park area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Elijah Watson
We moved here with our family and the quality of life is solid. Schools in Downtown area are tough. Kids love it here.
15 upvotes
Alexander
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is nightlife. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
Evan Lopez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 29, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
8 upvotes
loving_kinsley32
Moved here last year, no regrets.
7 upvotes
Ian C.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Maple Ridge side. Completely different vibe. it's been a really good experience overall.
6 upvotes
Jeremiah
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 7 years. Moved from Minneapolis for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Homeless population growing downtown. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Nathan W.
Moved here from Portland about 4 years ago. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Still getting used to traffic but Hope this helps!.
3 upvotes
Asher Clark
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Mexican places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
1 upvotes
Emma
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely excellent and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (East) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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